Escape device for sunken submarines



Nov. 27, 1928.

' S. G. HARRINGTON ESCAPE DEVICE FOR SUNKEN SUBMARINES Filed. March 10,

Savin G.Harrngon By Attorney Nov. 27, 1928.

s. G..HARRINGTON ESCAPE DEVICBTOR SUNKEN SUBMARINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filedlatch 10, 1928 Inventor Silvin G Harrington Nov. 27, 1928 S. G. HARRINGTON ESCAPE DEVICE FOR SUNKEN SUBMARINES Filed March 10, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet v Inventor \& Silvia G.Harringion Nov. 27, 1928.

S. G. HARRINGTON ESCAPE. DEVICE FOR SUNKEN SUBMARINES Filed March 10, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 rrld Inventor Silvia $.Harmlngion I B gguwawdw v Attorney Patented Nov. 27, 1928.

UNITED STATES SILVIN o. HARRINGTON, or METZ, iarssouni.

- ESCAPE DEVICE non SUNKEN SUBMABINES.

Application filedMarch 10, 1928. Serial No. 260,788.

7 The present invention relates to submarines and has for its principal object to provide means for permitting the crew of the submarine'to escape therefrom should the same sink to the bottom of the ocean. I v

More particularly the invention comprises a double float normally secured to the top portion'of the submarine and adapted to be released so that the float will riseto the surface of the water and thus permit the occupants of'thesubmarine to escape therefrom.

A further object of theinventi'on is to arrange one of the floats for supplying air to the occupants in the other of said i said last named float has also reached the sur face of the water.

A. still further object of the invention is to provide a means operable within one of the said other float so as to floats for releasing permit the same toriseto the'surface of the water and also to release said -first named float in order to also permit the same to rise to thesurface of the water subsequent to the other float; V

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of this character of simple and prac tical construction which is eflicient and reliable in performance, which provides an effective means of permitting the crew ofa sunken submarine to escape therefrom, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, endinstall in operative position upon the sub marine and without necessitating anymaterial changes in the alteration and construction thereof, and which is otherwise'well adapted to the purpose for which the same is intended.

Uther ob ects and advantages reside in the special construction and combination of the various elements comprising the invention,

reference being had to the accompanying drawin gs, forming a part hereof wherein:

Figure 1 1s a side elevational'view of the submarine shown in the submerged position with the buoy provided for supplying air to the sunken submarine shown at the surface of the water.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view, showing the relative position of the passenger bearing buoy secured in position on top of the submarine. j Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View therethrough.

Figuret'is a similar v1ew,showing the releasing mechanism provided for the passenger carrying buoy.

, and disposed Figure5 is a similar View, showing the communicating passageway between thesubmarine and the passenger carrying buoy.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through the'air hose supporting buoy.

Figure 7 is. a fragement-ary vertical sectional View through one endthereof, showis provided, upon its deck with a conning tower, 6, such as usually provided for permitting the crew of the submarine to enter the same. p

The conning tower 6 is of a cylindrical sectional formation, said section being disposed in superimposed relation and including a lower section 7, communicating with theinterior of thesubmarine, and an upper section 8, having its lower end fitted on the upper end of the lower sect-ion 7, with a water tight gasket 9 interposed therebetween, whereby to form a water tight fit for the communicating ends of the tower.

The, upper end of the upper section 8 extends'to the bottom 10 of a passenger buoy 11,.which extends longitudinally of the submarine in spaced relation abovethe deck thereof as illustrated in Figure 1 of. the drawing.

The buoy 11 is of a relatively smaller size,

compared to the submarine and at each end is provided with a screw 12v secured h0rizontally to the endwall 13 0f the buoy, with an, operating wheel 14 carried at its inner end. The outer'end of each of the screws 12 are threadedly embedded through socket members15 formed on the upper end of post 16 extending vertically from the decks of the submarine, the lower ends of the said posts being threadedly retained in a suitable manner to said decks, as indicated at 17.

. I Extending vertically through the top of the buoy 1.1 is also arranged a screw 18 having an operating wheel 19 formed at its lower end within the interior of the buoy and with its upper end threaded, as shown at 20, and threadedly' inserted within the wall of a relatively smaller buoy 21 disposed immediately above the passenger bearing buoy 11. The top buoy 21 is connected with a pair of the hose 22 thereabout.

. formed of of flexible hose 22, which is normally wound about the buoy 21, as clearly illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings and with the other ends of the hose connected with a hose coupling 23, threaded in one end of a hose pipe 24 extending transversely through the buoy 21. The opposite end of the hose pipe 24 is formed into a valve seat 25, with which is associated a valve 26, mounted on the free end of a spring arm 27 which has its opposite end secured to the outer surface of the buoy 21. The arms 27 of each valve are normally depressed by the Winding of the hose 22 about the buoy 21, so that the valve 26 is normally secured in closed position with respect to the pipe 24.

The buoy 21 is of an air tight construction and filled with compressed air, so that when the submarine is submerged and the buoy 21 is released by the operation of the screw 18, the buoy will rise to the surface of the water unwinding the hose 22, thereby releasing the valve .26 and permitting the air to enter the hose 22 through thepipe 24. The air is thus supplied to the passenger carrying buoy 21, which may still be secured to the sunken submarine. At one end of the buoy 21 is ranged a'flag mast 28, carrying a flag 29 at its upper end and having its lower end pivotally mounted and provided with a spring 30, for normally forcing the mast 28 in upwardly eX- tended' position. As shown in Figure 6 of the drawing, when the buoy 26 is secured to the submarine, the'mast 28 is folded downwardly upon the upper surface of the buoy .and retained in such position by the winding buoy 21 reaches the surface and the mast is released by the hose, the flag will then be arranged in a hoisted position.

The upper section 8 of the tower may be provided with a hatch 31 adapted to be secured in position over the tower from within the passenger carrying buoy 11, by means of 7 bolts and nuts 82. The buoy 11 is then adapted to form a water tight compartment separate from the submarine. The buoys 11 and 21 as well as the submarine itself may be double walls including'an inner shell 33 arranged in spaced relation withthe outer shell 34 and between which shells maybe carried a supply of air under pressure, so as to enhance the buoyancy of the sleeve as well as the submarine. The buoy 11 may be released from the submarine by the operation of the wheels 14 and the buoy will then rise to the surface of the water. The upper surface of the buoy 11 may also be provided with a hatch 85, adapted to be secured in position and released from the hatch opening by means of the wheel 36 arranged within the interior of the buoy 11. The buoy 11, upon rising to the surface of the water will thus permit the submarine crew to escape therefrom, the buoy at all times being sup- As soon as they Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. An attachment for submarines, comprising a pair of buoys releasably attached to the submarine, one of said buoys having communication with the submarine to permit the crew to enter the buoy from the submarine, means operable from within the said buoy for releasing the same from the submarine, means operable from within said buoy for releasing said other buoy therefrom, and means carried by said other buoy for supplying air to said first named buoy.

2. An attachment for submarines, comprising a pair of buoys releasablyfattached to the submarine, one of said buoys having ing within the buoy 11 may be fitted with a i communication with the'submarine and providing means for permitting the crew to enter the buoy from the submarine, means operable from within said buoy for releasing the same from the-submarine, means operable from within-sald buoy for releas ng said 1 other buoy from the submarine, and an air hose carried by said other buoy forming an air connection with said first named buoy.

3. An attachment for submarines, comprising a pair of buoys releasably attached to i the submarine, one of said buoys having communication with the submarine and prov1ding means for permltting the crew to-enter the buoy from the submarine, means operable.

from within said buoy for releasingthe same from the submarine, means operable'from within said buoy for releasing said other buoy from the submarine, and an air hose carried by said other buoy forming an air,

connection with said first named buoy an air intake pipe for the hose carried. by said other buoy, a control valve for said intake pipe, and means for arranging the hose for securing the valve in closed position while said buoy is attached to the submarine.

4. An attachment 'forsubmarines comprising a passenger carrying buoy releasably attached to the subi ari'ne and having an indicating means therebetween whereby to permit the crew of the submarine to enter said buoy, an air hose carrying buoy releasably attached to said carrying buoy, means operable from within said passenger carrying buoy for releasing either of the buoys from the submarine, said hose forming an air connection between said buoys, an intake pipe carried by said hose carrying buoy, a control valve associated therewith, said air hose being Wound circumferentially about the air hose carrying buoy when in attached 5 position to the other of-said buoys, and arranged, When so Wound, to secure the valve in closed position with respect to the air intake pipe, and a signalling mast pivotally carried by said hose carryingbuoy and normally secured in horizontal position by the 10 hose when the buoy is attached to the-submarine and releasable upon the unwinding of the hose therefrom.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

SILVIN G. HARRINGTON.- 

